Center for Educational Leadership

360-Degree Instructional Leadership Assessment Tool

Utilizing the National Institute for School Leadership (NISL) on-line assessment tool, administrators will be provided with an in-depth review of their instructional leadership skills. The program includes a half-day session and an individual meeting to review the report. The contents of all sessions and the report are confidential. This service is most effective when utilized with district leadership teams.

Annual Spring Law Update

This seminar covers a variety of issues currently impacting school policies and procedures. Held every Spring.

Collaborative Leadership Networks for Special Education

Through interactive networking sessions, participants will apply leadership principles to critical educational issues. Each session will provide resources and the opportunity to share expertise and strategies to solve critical problems/issues. Each session will be a model for professional learning communities. The Special Education group will focus on special education topics and issues. The Building Administrators group will be focused on topics for building-level administrators.

Click here for Special Education Workshop Material

Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR)

A curriculum developed by Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES and Cornell University School of Labor Relations consists of courses that have been customized for school leaders. Number of course units and days vary by certificate.

The certificate in Leadership Management Development includes the following:

• Manager/ Leader as Coach
• Managing Multiple Priorities
• Resolving Conflict
• Critical Skills for Managers
• Contemporary Leadership
• Leading High Performance Teams

The certificate in Human Resources includes the following:

• Performance Appraisal & Management
• ADR: Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Human Resources and the Law
• Electronic Staffing: Recruiting Using the Internet
• Dynamics of Handling Employee Complaints
• Diversity
• Building & Managing Employee Relations
• Fundamentals of Employee Benefits
• Strategic Human Resources Planning

The certificate in Contract Administrative Studies includes the following:

• Effective Discipline
• Investigation Tools and Techniques
• Contract Language
• Public Sector Labor Relations Law
• Effective Grievance Handling
• Labor Management Strategies for Organizational Change
• Increasing Effectiveness in Arbitration

The Advanced certificate includes the following:

• Adapting and Leading Change
• Strategic Business Thinking
• Perfecting Your Presentation Skills
• Creating a Vision
• Internal Consulting Skills

Collective Bargaining Immersion Program

A three day Immersion Program which covers a great deal of substantive material and skill-building. Pre-work study is required.

National Institute for School Leaders (NISL) Presents Developing Instructional Leadership

During this five-day institute, administrators will focus on developing leadership skills that lead to increased student achievement. Co-sponsored by the P/NW BOCES Curriculum Center, sessions will include: instructional leadership and vision, systems thinking, effective instructional practices, developing professional learning communications, and sustaining school improvement plans. This world-class program will be taught by national experts in the field of instructional leadership.

School Leadership That Works: Integrate Marzano's Principles Into Your Administrative Repertoire

This four-part series will integrate the ideas found in the book Classroom Instruction that Works with Marzano’s companion publication School Leadership that Works.  Scenarios and case studies will be used to utilize and fuse Marzano’s instructional strategies with his construct for administrative excellence.

National Institute for School Leaders (NISL) Presents Leadership in English Lanuage Learning (ELL) Institute

During this two-day institute on Leadership in English Language Learning, participants will deeply study and share insights on district and school climate related to ELL.  Major language and content issues, and research on the best practices for improving instruction for English Language Learners (ELLs) will be included.  The institute draws on the best of strategic thinking, instructional leadership and proven initiatives to create a just, fair and caring community of learners in their schools.  Participants will focus on ways to assess, benchmark and improve teaching and learning practices for English Language Learning. 

Early Career Superintendent’s Seminar Series

This program is designed for superintendents in years 2-5 who want to work and learn from their peers and experienced superintendents. The program is being offered in conjunction with NYSCOSS and Bank Street College. Early career superintendents will have the opportunity to engage in active collaborative learning for advanced leadership development and district improvement as well as benefit from guest speakers.

Teachers College, Columbia University and Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) Presents Education Policy Fellowship Program For Superintendents (EPFP)

EPFP is geared to Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents and other experienced administrators interested in building an understanding of how to work in the civic arena, public engagement and community leadership. Participants will be introduced to educational leadership and policy issues on both the state and federal levels. During eight sessions over ten months, participants will concentrate on building the knowledge and strategies needed to initiate and sustain collaborative efforts at the local, state and national levels.

Executive Coaching: A Leadership Program for New Administrators

This program is a joint offering with the P/NW BOCES Curriculum Center based on the model of coaching to support growth in administrators who seek such an opportunity within the first three years of a leadership position. Coaching is an ongoing relationship between a coach and a person being coached (coachee) that helps coachees meet their potential. It is a process of inquiry that enables coachees to achieve their goals by providing them with support and feedback. The coaching process helps coachees both define and achieve professional goals faster and with more ease than would be possible otherwise.

Future School Leaders Academy

Bank Street College of Education, in partnership with P/NW BOCES, offers a Future School Leaders Academy in Putnam and Westchester. The goal of this partnership is to enhance the breadth, size and quality of the educational administrative candidate pool for leadership positions within the school districts and BOCES. The program was launched in the fall of 1999. It has been cited by the New York State Center For leadership as a model program "in recruiting and training the next generation of leaders".

To receive the Advanced Masters Degree, participants must complete 30 units of academic credit and an approved internship. This is accomplished in 5 semesters with a July semester between the two school years.  Upon completion, New York State certificates as School District Leader and School Building Leader are received. Participants are enrolled by Superintendent's recommendation only. Information and nomination forms for Cohort 6, which begins in the Fall of 2009, will be sent in December 2008.

Institute for Human Resources Administrators

A two-day nuts and bolts training for new human resources administrators in years one to three. A resource guide of best practices and model processes will be utilized in the sessions. The eight dimensions of HR management will be highlighted.

Facing the Challenges of Human Resources Administrators: A Professional Forum

These sessions will focus on common problems and issues in order to develop the HR administrator’s skills. The forum will provide an opportunity to share and problem solve HR challenges using today’s best practices for schools.

Special Education Leadership: Challenges and Solutions for both Special and General Education Leaders

During this three-day interactive institute, participants will apply leadership principles to special education administrative challenges. Case studies, scenarios, videos, and educational literature will be used to facilitate small-group discussions. Handouts and on-line access to the presentation will be provided. The equivalent of one in-service credit may be awarded according to district policy. This training is offered in conjunction with Bank Street College.

Click here for Workshop Material

Human Resource Audit

A comprehensive human resources/personnel audit to assist districts with all legal and compliance issues relative to Human Resources is offered. Included would be a review of current practices and procedures with recommendations for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the human resources office. The scope of an audit would range from reviewing personnel files to recruitment procedures and recommendations for tenure. Each audit is customized to meet the individual needs of the district and can include any aspect of HR functions.

Call Joan Thompson, Executive Director – Center for Educational Leadership
at 914-248-3864 for details
E-Mail: jothompson@pnwboces.org